A Gift to Remember

Blurb: Darcy Archer works in a small bookstore on Manhattan's Upper West Side. A dreamer who secretly wishes for true love similar to that in her beloved novels, Darcy refuses to settle for anything less than being swept off her feet by the perfect man.

One day, when cycling to work, Darcy accidentally crashes into a sharply dressed man walking his dog. He is knocked unconscious and rushed to the hospital, but his dog gets left behind. Wracked with guilt over the accident, Darcy resolves to care for the dog and reunite him with his owner. But the dog is not the only thing that's been left behind and when she finds a small beautifully wrapped package - suspiciously shaped like a book - she becomes curious. She decides to try and figure out all she can about this man, and make the delivery herself. Darcy gradually becomes drawn into his life; one that she soon discovers is filled with books, travel, adventure and all the wonderful things she's ever dreamt about. It doesn't take long before Darcy builds up a picture of this man's lovely life, and feeling an immediate kinship towards him, tries to make things right.

It might be a challenge but doesn't she owe it to him to try? But does fantasy match reality? And what happens when he finally wakes up?

Praise for Melissa Hill:

'A gulp-in-one-go page-turner' Evening Standard

'Beautifully escapist...with a hint of mystery' Marie Claire

*First I would like to thank the Team of Books and the City at Simon and Schuster for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. *

Review: This was my first book by Melissa Hill so I didn't know exactly what to expect. But from the first pages I could tell that I was going to like this book. Darcy is a bookworm, she loves books. Her house has piles of books everywhere and she even works in a book store. As a bookworm myself I instantly warmed to her. She was also strong and had her own beliefs and wouldn't give in under the insistence of her aunt, her only family, that she should want more in life: a better job, a high profile boyfriend and days at the spa.

Darcy is happy dreaming and day dreaming about Mr Darcy but then, one day she hits a stranger with her bike and when he wakes up in hospital he doesn't remember who he is. So Darcy, out of guilt and maybe because he is gorgeous, starts helping him to recover his memory. I really enjoyed the mistery surrounding the stranger and how bit by bit Darcy discovered more things about him. Also while he was in hospital she took care of his dog, an active but well behaved husky that added a funny spark to the story.

The setting of the book was perfect: Christmas time in New York. I have been twice in New York but both during summer so reading this book all I wanted to do was book a plane to go back in december. Melissa created a sweet story with a feel good atmosphere that will make you smile non-stop. And if you are a bookworm, which I know you are, you'll love Darcy! So go for it and bring the christmas decorations out!